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BELL & DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

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LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

THE ROUND TABLE:

A COLLECTION OF

ESSAYS ON LITERATURE, MEN, AND

MANNERS.

BY

WILLIAM HAZLITT.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE EDITION OF 1817

The

THE following work falls somewhat short of its title and original intention. It was proposed by my friend Mr. Hunt to publish a series of papers in the 'Examiner,' in the manner of the early periodical essayists, the 'Spectator' and 'Tatler.' These papers were to be contributed by various persons on a variety of subjects; and Mr. Hunt, as the editor, was to take the characteristic or dramatic part of the work upon himself. 1 undertook to furnish occasional essays and criticisms; one or two other friends promised their assistance; but the essence of the work was to be miscellaneous. next thing was to fix upon a title for it. After much doubtful consultation, that of 'THE ROUND TABLE' was agreed upon as most descriptive of its nature and design. But our plan had been no sooner arranged and entered apon than Bonaparte landed at Frejus, et voilà la Table Ronde dissoúte. Our little congress was broken up as well as the great one; politics called off the attention of the editor from the belles lettres, and the task of continuing the work fell chiefly upon the person who was least able to give life and spirit to the original design. A want of variety in the subjects and mode of treating them is perhaps the least disadvantage resulting

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